FAMILIES OF THE SLAIN INGQUZA MASSACRE HEROES EXPRESS DISSATISFACTION OVER COMMEMORATION
The families of the fallen heroes who were murdered in 1960 by the apartheid government is not satisfied about the commemoration, alleging it is a stunt for a financial gain by government. These families were part of the annual commemorations of the Mpondo revolt and Ingquza Massacre that was held by the Eastern Cape government. An event was graced by the presence of Transport MEC, Xolile Nqatha, who was acting as EC premier, on Thursday, 06 June 2024, MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture, Nonceba Kontsiwe and the government representatives from the Alfred Nzo and OR Tambo district.
The commemoration was successful as it always does, however there is an outcry from family members of the victims who were killed and buried in Ingquza, citing that the government has assisted them with nothing as they promised to get closer to the families. Speaking on behalf of these families, Dumezweni Madikane says government is in the mission of squandering money using their parents’ sad and brutal death.
“We believe this commemoration alone does not help us with anything as we are invited here every year, given flowers we do not know whether they were bought or they grew from our parents’ graves. This government has promised us to get close to us and compensate us, as the members of the families and the children of those who were killed brutally, yet up to this far we listen to speeches and no action” Madikane said.
He added that they lost hope as they have been promised to be compensated but nothing has been fulfilled.
“We are the members of these formed committees, but they are not assisting us at all as we only hear talks and talks and talks, with no action”.
Responding on why they are still honoring the invitations, Dumezweni says they cannot miss the event where one will talk about their parents and not know what is said.
Acting premier, Xolile Nqatha says they are close to these families as they assist with the development of Mpondoland, with Umsikaba and Umthentu bridge counted as one of the projects that seek to develop amaMpondo.